Thinking of becoming a travel nurse, but don’t know where to start? You are not alone. Choosing the first travel nursing assignment can be overwhelming. Different cities, different pay, and millions of decisions, you might feel stuck and start thinking why you are choosing travel nursing at first place. Travel nursing should be exciting and not terrifying, and therefore, you need a step-by-step guide to choose your first assignment with confidence. Good news! In this blog, we will guide you on how to choose your first travel nursing assignment, from picking the perfect location to landing the schedule that fits your lifestyle.
Here is the best part! SkillGigs makes travel nursing easier, faster, and way more exciting. It allows you to browse high-paying assignments and compare shifts before you apply. Also, once you sign your first contract with SkillGigs, you can get a $500 bonus. Ditch the recruiters and other travel nursing agencies, as SkillGigs is the future of travel nursing.
What is travel nursing?
Travel nursing is a career path where registered nurses work on assignments typically for 13 weeks, but it can vary from a few weeks to several months. They travel across the US to fill the gaps where there is a shortage of staff. Nurses need 1 to 2 years of experience before choosing travel nursing as their career because this experience helps them to adjust to the new environment quickly.
How to choose your first travel nursing assignment?
Choosing the right contract isn’t about grabbing the highest pay or trendiest city, but it is about finding the assignment that matches your skills, lifestyle, and long-term career goals. Your first travel nursing assignment can either launch your career or make you question why you chose travel nursing in the first place. Don’t worry, in this blog, we will guide you on how to select your travel nursing assignment without getting stuck in the wrong unit and being underpaid.
Understand what you want from travel nursing
Your first travel nursing assignment can either launch your career or leave you wondering if travel nursing is really for you. Before choosing your first travel nursing assignment, understand what you want from it and define your goals. Ask yourself these questions:
- You want to maximize your pay, or you want to work near home?
- You want stability or adventure?
- Which type of location will suit you? Warm, cold, rural, urban, etc.
Know the basics of a travel nursing contract
The most important thing in travel nursing is to understand your travel nursing contract. Read your contract carefully and ask questions to your recruiter if you have any confusion. This will help you avoid any surprises. Understand the key elements of the travel nursing contract, such as assignment length, pay structure, benefits, and bonuses. It is important to understand that higher hourly pay does not mean that you will take more pay home, but other elements, such as housing stipends, bonuses, benefits, etc., also play an important role in your overall salary.
Stick with the specialty you know
For your first travel nursing assignment, it is important that you choose the setting and specialty that you are already familiar with, so it is easy for you to adjust quickly. Important things to consider are:
- Choose the specialty you are already comfortable with, for example, ICU, Med surg etc., because this will allow you to apply your skills immediately rather than learning a new patient population.
- Choose the facility you have worked in before. If you are used to working in large hospitals, then choose similar hospitals for your assignment. If you have experience in outpatient clinics, then select that setting in your assignment. This will reduce the learning curve.
- Different hospitals use different charting systems. Start with the facility that uses the same charting system; this will make documentation easy and will reduce your onboarding stress.
Use SkillGigs to explore assignments efficiently
Use SkillGigs, an AI platform that makes it easy to compare opportunities. You can avoid jumping between different platforms or dealing with countless nursing agencies/ recruiters. On SkillGigs, you can:
- Filter assignments by state, specialty, and length.
- View pay rates.
- Compare multiple offers.
- Set alerts for preferred locations.
- Bid on jobs that you want.
How can you get started:
- Complete your Skill Gigs profile.
- Turn on job alerts for your dream locations.
- Save searches to check frequently.
- Get the job notifications and bid on it.
Compare assignments
When reviewing your assignments, compare the total value, which means how much you will make by the end of the assignment, and not just the base pay. Look for the following:
- Location
- Pay
- Housing
- Stipends
- Bonus
Evaluate licensing requirements
Evaluate licensing requirements early because they can delay things for you. SkillGigs always highlight compact states. Things you should consider:
- Is it a compact state or a state require license?
- Does the facility support an expedited license?
Plan your housing
Housing can either make or break your assignment. It is one of the important aspects of travel nursing. Talk to your recruiter about housing details. You can ask the following:
- Is housing available?
- Affordable housing options, as you don’t want rent eating most of your pay.
- Whether your housing stipends cover rent
Check cancellation policy
Sometimes hospitals cancel contracts, and therefore, it is important to understand the cancellation policy of your contract to avoid stress. Ask for the following.
- Has the hospital canceled travel contracts before?
- Will you still get paid if canceled?
- How much notice is required?
Talk to recruiters
Your recruiter is your guide, and therefore, a good recruiter will clarify contract details, negotiate your pay, and share insights about the unit. You can ask them about
- What’s included in the stipend breakdown?
- How is overtime handled?
- Is the schedule guaranteed?
What should I look for in a travel nurse contract?
Before choosing your first travel nursing assignment, look for the following:
- Base pay and benefits
- Location and length of an assignment
- Shifts and schedules
- Cancellation policy
- Housing and transportation
- Liability and insurance
- Contract type: W2 or 1099
- Bonuses
How long are travel nursing assignments?
Travel nursing assignments are typically 13 weeks, but they can vary from a few days to several months. Sometime extension also affects the contract length if both nurses and the facility agree.
How much does a first-time travel nurse make?
Ay of travel nurses varies according to location, experience, specialty, demand, and stipends. But hourly base pay is roughly between $40 to $60, but they also get extra compensation such as housing, bonus, travel reimbursement, etc., depending on the contract.
How to know if the travel nursing job is safe and reputable?
- Check the agency.
- Read reviews.
- Research facility.
- Verify contracts.
- Ask questions.
Conclusion
Travel nursing is full of adventure and excitement with high pay, and therefore, choosing your first travel nursing assignment should not be overwhelming. With tools like SkillGigs, you can explore different opportunities, compare assignments, and work at preferred locations. SkillGigs makes it simple and stress-free, so join now and sign your first travel nursing contract with SkillGigs and get a $500 bonus. Happy travel nursing!
